Definitely talking to current L-T families rather than make decisions based on hearsay is the way to go. We are a current L-T family (OOB) and we are very happy at L-T. I don't think any parents in my kids PK3 class are unhappy at L-T. We are also staying for PK4. The facilities are great, the teachers are fabulous, and the PTA is active.

Actually MOTH has been very positive on L-T in recent years. It's the crappy neighbors that spread the haterade all over the place.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Students at Brent are delicate little cherry blossoms floating on a sea of tranquility.

Truly.

But, sadly, there are some Brent parents who really think this way . . . .

OP - I would put Ludlow-Taylor's ECE up against almost any other on the Hill. And we were an SWS family.

My Brent blossom could kick the crap out of any L-T punk without breaking a sweat. And if any lightweight L-T kid joins the dice game that our Brent blossoms run near the wobble horse, then the only thing they will leave with is empty pockets.

+1 -- represent!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Students at Brent are delicate little cherry blossoms floating on a sea of tranquility.

Truly.

But, sadly, there are some Brent parents who really think this way . . . .

OP - I would put Ludlow-Taylor's ECE up against almost any other on the Hill. And we were an SWS family.

My Brent blossom could kick the crap out of any L-T punk without breaking a sweat. And if any lightweight L-T kid joins the dice game that our Brent blossoms run near the wobble horse, then the only thing they will leave with is empty pockets.

We are a waitlisted IB Brent family at Ludlow-Taylor for PS3 (and PK4 next year almost surely). Honestly, I can't imagine how Brent's ECE program could be any better than Ludlow-Taylor's. I'm continually amazed by LT's program. (As an example, the 3 PS3 classes have been writing their own operas for the past 10 weeks and performed them today. Completely adorable as you can imagine...) I'm less thrilled about the DCPS-provided aftercare, but that's another story.

I think LT gets a ton of "extras" because it is Title 1. They have around 3.5 hours (!) of studio arts classes a week plus PE and library in addition to their spiffy new ECE wing and playground.

Go visit and see what you think for yourself, OP!

To the original poster, if you have such dark feelings about L-T, please don't go and give your spot to someone else. My kid began the ECE program last year and there were a handful of parents who were clearly nervous to send their kid to the L-T. While most bolted to SWS this year, I can almost bet that none of them would complain about their child's classroom experience. Unfortunately, those parents made life annoying for those of us who didn't have the same feelings of guilt for sending their kid to an "urban" school. And yes, the Principal is not very diplomatic but get the job done well.

Anonymous wrote:Students at Brent are delicate little cherry blossoms floating on a sea of tranquility.

Truly.

But, sadly, there are some Brent parents who really think this way . . . .

OP - I would put Ludlow-Taylor's ECE up against almost any other on the Hill. And we were an SWS family.

Students at Brent are delicate little cherry blossoms floating on a sea of tranquility.

I don't know why anyone would pay for private preschool over a school like Ludlow Taylor. The teachers have better qualifications in many cases in public schools than private preschools - the groups of kids in preschool is great.

As for crazy behavior in the playground, I wonder if you spent time near the Brent or Maury playground whether you might notice the same behaviors.

We have friends whose DC attended LT for one year and still speak highly of the school. That said, the played the lottery for year two and promptly left.

To the posters who are recommending MOTH posting re: Ludlow Taylor- check it out yourself. There is nothing unabashedly positive about the school on MOTH. The comments on here, however, are damning.

I'm in the 40s on the WL for P3

I don't think LT is short on spots. Is anyone wait listed there?

Agreed. I have NEVER heard anything about bullying in 3 years at the school. Not sure where you're getting that, b/c I also walk by the playgrounds several times a day and have never observed anything remotely violent. Seems like you are pretty determined to hate the school, OP, so why not give up your spot to someone who could really benefit from the great community?

We're in K at LT and love it.

My daughter's PS3 teacher was fantastic -- just fantastic. This amazing, calming presence. I picked up some great toddler-management tactics from her.

My daughter's PK4 teacher was also very good -- not as soothing, a little more demanding from the kids, but then in PK things get a little more academic, so I think her approach was appropriate. Don't get me wrong -- she also could be very playful and really had a knack for getting the best from each child.

Her K teacher is also very strong. She's particularly good at differentiation, which I think is especially key in K, where you have kids who are already reading and then kids who are still working on their letters.

I haven't observed any unruly behavior -- on the contrary, my impression is that the teachers & admin run a tight ship, while still recognizing that they are working with children. There is really a knack to maintaining discipline without creating an adversarial relationship, and from what I've seen, the staff at LT are all very skilled at that.

I've heard people's complaints about the principal. While I haven't observed anything of the sort myself, neither can I disprove what they say. However, I don't think even her harshest critics can find fault with her hiring practices or her commitment to academic excellence.